Zoe Aitken

How do demographic and socioeconomic characteristics influence the effect of disability acquisition on mental health? An analysis of effect measure modification and mediation.

Thesis:  How do socio-economic characteristics influence the effect of disability acquisition on mental health? An analysis of effect modification and mediation

2019

List of Supervisors:

Professor Anne Kavanagh, Head, Disability Health Unit; Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

Professor  Julie Simpson, Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

A/Professor Rebecca Bentley, Gender and Women's Health Unit, Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

Title of your PhD:

How do demographic and socioeconomic characteristics influence the effect of disability acquisition on mental health? An analysis of effect measure modification and mediation.

Abstract:

People with disabilities experience vast mental health inequalities. However, the mechanisms by which disability acquisition leads to a decline in mental health are poorly understood. My PhD thesis aims to form a better understanding of how people’s socioeconomic circumstances influence the relationship between disability acquisition and poor mental health. The identification of characteristics that attenuate or exacerbate mental health declines among people who acquire a disability may highlight factors that are amenable to public health interventions to improve mental health and reduce the mental health inequalities currently experienced by people with disabilities.